Enhancing the Fiscal Outlook of a Nonprofit Agency through Board of Training, Fundraising Techniques and a Marketing Plan.

Farquharson, Patrice E.

This practicum focused on improving the funding of a state-supported, non-profit day care center through the development of a marketing plan, enhanced fundraising techniques, increased involvement by the center's board of directors, and heightened community awareness. To accomplish these goals, board members were interviewed and encouraged to use their influence and contacts to seek new sources of funding and donations for the center. A grant application was sent to a local agency to provide funding for a program development consultant. An illustrated brochure about the center was produced and distributed to local businesses, organizations, and individuals to attract donations of money or materials. A videotape of the day care program was also produced and shown on a local television station to increase community awareness of the center and to attract financial support. These developments led to a more than five-fold increase in funding and donations to the center in the four months after the program took effect. Board member and community involvement also increased. (Eight appendixes provide copies of correspondence, interview questions, and an abstract of the grant proposal.) (MDM)